How To Fix MC229 - Substrings are not allowed in transparent matchcodes

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: MC - Aggregate: views, matchcodes, lock objects

• Message number: 229

• Message text: Substrings are not allowed in transparent matchcodes

What causes this issue?

A field of a matchcode ID was defined as a field component by
specifying the offset and length. Field components, however, are not
permitted for transparent matchcodes (update type = 'I').

System Response

In this case it is not possible to activate the matchcode ID.

How to fix this error?

Cancel the field component definition by cancelling the definitions in
the columns "offset" or "length" (e.g. with the reset character
'!') in the matchcode ID field maintenance screen. The system then
automatically uses the length of the base table field on which it is
based.

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message MC229 - Substrings are not allowed in transparent matchcodes ?

  The SAP error message MC229, which states "Substrings are not allowed in transparent matchcodes," typically occurs when you are trying to use a substring in a matchcode that is defined as a transparent matchcode. Transparent matchcodes are designed to provide exact matches rather than partial or substring matches.
  Cause:
  The error arises when:
  
  You attempt to use a wildcard or substring in a search field that is defined to only accept complete values.
  The matchcode is set up in a way that does not allow for partial matches, which is a requirement for transparent matchcodes.
  
  Solution:
  To resolve this error, you can take the following steps:
  
  
  Check Matchcode Configuration:
  
  Go to the transaction code SE11 (Data Dictionary) and check the matchcode object that is causing the issue.
  Ensure that the matchcode is configured correctly and that you are not using any substrings in your search criteria.
  
  
  
  Use Full Values:
  
  When performing a search, ensure that you are entering complete values rather than partial strings. For example, if you are searching for a material number, enter the full material number instead of just a part of it.
  
  
  
  Change Matchcode Type:
  
  If you need to allow substring searches, consider changing the matchcode type from transparent to a different type that supports substring searches. However, this may require a deeper understanding of the implications and should be done with caution.
  
  
  
  Consult Documentation:
  
  Review SAP documentation or help resources related to matchcodes to understand the limitations and configurations better.
  
  
  
  Contact SAP Support:
  
  If the issue persists or if you are unsure about making changes, consider reaching out to SAP support or your internal SAP team for assistance.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Matchcode Types: Understand the different types of matchcodes in SAP, such as transparent, non-transparent, and others, and their respective capabilities.
  Transaction Codes: Familiarize yourself with relevant transaction codes like SE11 for data dictionary, SE78 for matchcode object maintenance, and SE84 for repository information.
  SAP Notes: Check for any SAP Notes related to matchcodes and error MC229 for additional insights or patches that may address the issue.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the MC229 error and understand the limitations of transparent matchcodes in SAP.